"Buell-like in its appearance."

[upthemaiden]

Came across this thing, I think it looks AMAZING for a 125. I live in the city, so I would honestly love to have a bike like this. I think the new ninja 250s look pretty good, but this bike looks serious, especially with the 43mm USD forks. Same we never get stuff like this in the US.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/667/8117/Motorcycle-Article/2011-KTM-125-Duke-First-Look.aspx

 

[agfish18]

love KTM

 

[upthemaiden]

I loved the old Duke II, and I like the newer SMC 625/690, but otherwise I'm not so crazy about a lot of their other bikes. I like the idea, but the designs just aren't doing it for me. There's not much I don't like about this 125 though.

 

[konarider94]

looks pretty fun.

 

[Loki]

I think all the street bikes ktm makes look killer. Even the old dukes still look futuristic.

 

[RudiRulez]

I just moved up from a 125, certainly wouldnt want to be going back anytime soon, they are fun for a while but then the shear lack of power sets in and they get really boring really quickly!

 

[Baal]

I had an instructor pass me on the downhill section of VIR on a Mito 125. I was riding a VFR800. I got off and kicked it.

 

[BuellerPilot]

ME WANT!


~Mike.....

 

[yellow50]

i like its looks it just seems a bit small (15 hp and around 15 lbs of torque. In fairness i have never rode a supermoto. Here are the specs from http://www.2wheelsindia.com/2010/10/ktm-125-duke-specifications-photos.html

ENGINE

Type: Single cylinder, 4-stroke, 4 Valve-DOHC
Engine Capacity: 124.7 cc
Bore x Stroke: 58/47

Max. Power: 11.3 kW (around 15 Ps or 15 bhp) at 10500 rpm
Max. Torque: 12 Nm at 8000 rpm

Starter: Electric Starter
Gear: 6 Speed

Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

Clutch: Multi-disc clutch, operated hydraulically

CHASSIS

Frame: Chromium - Molybdenum Trellis frame
Subframe: Steel

Front suspension: WP USD (Upside Down) 43 mm dia
Rear suspension: WP monoshock
Travel (front / rear): 160/160 mm

Front brake: Disc 280 mm dia
Rear brake: Disc 230 mm dia

Wheels (front / rear): 3,00 x 17 " / 4.00 x 17 "
Tires (front / rear): 110/70 x 17 " / 150/60 x 17 "

Steering head angle: 65 °
Trailing: 100 mm

Wheelbase: 1350 + / -15 mm
Ground clearance: 185 mm
Seat height: 810 mm

Fuel tank capacity: approximately 11 liters
Dry Weight: 118 kg

 

[yellow50]

PS I HATE the metric system

 

[Paloma1974]

Wouldnt the Blast serve the same purpose?

 

[1972c10]

looks cool but ktm has so many better engines in their other bikes that should have went into that, is it for a low cc racing class?

 

[upthemaiden]

It's make for european/asian markets that have heavy restrictions on engine size and power for beginners. It's meant to be a learners bike, it just looks amazing compared to the other bikes in it's class.

The metric system? Is there a good reason to hate logic and nice even numbers? As much as I love multiplying things by 12/16/32...

I know a 125 isn't much but I put 14k miles on an ex250 10 years ago and really enjoyed the bike. I live in the city now, and a 280lb(wet) bike would be way more fun than most 600-1000cc bikes would be in traffic and on tight streets. From what I read, it sounds like if we ever get the bike here, it would probably be a 250 anyway. They said the frame was designed around bigger motors, so it would be great if they could fit a 250cc motor in there and still keep the whole bike within 10-20lbs of the current weight.

A blast would work, but they don't really do much for me. The Duke 125 is 100lbs lighter, has USD forks, and a good seating position. It's definitely not the same kinda bike. I sat on a blast once and the seating position felt like a cruiser.

 

[crxtasy169]

I love it I hope they put out a 450!

 

[yellow50]

i was just kidding about the metric system its just that I learned sae first. Its like spanish, i can speak it but english was my fist language.

 

[upthemaiden]

I'm not too good at all of it. I can gauge speed, weight and distance, but I hate trying to convert volume/liquids.

 

[Abledcool1]

I grew up riding KTM dirt bikes, and I've always liked the Dukes, I really like the V-twin ones.

 

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

you say it's a beginners bike , but yet the manufacture makes a commerical thats has someone doing stunts in the commericals , thats F'd up in my book they are promoting beginners to do dangeruos things that can send beginners to the hospital and a wheel chair for life. say what you want about that but thats my opinion of whats wrong with the greedy world today just to help sell something. yes it probably has fine print saying pro driver/rider dont atempt. but thats no excuse for a beginner bike , maybe ok for more mature customer base not a beginner. companies need to be more responsible for promoting safe riding ,Especially for beginners. sorry for the rant dont mean to hijack thread but the bike does look good n nice hp for beginners, but i think some of the custom blasts look better, n more power for my taste.

 

[ervin067]

That thing looks pretty awesome. It looks way better than the 600 cc version. I saw one of those in real life a while back and though it looked terrible. The Super Duke looks awesome though too.. Just the mid sized one doesnt look right, IMHO

 

[upthemaiden]

sorry for the rant dont mean to hijack thread

No it's definitely a good point. I can understand why the stunt riders wanted one to play on, but to design a beginners bike and then make a stunt version is definitely a poorly thought out plan. I've never had high standards for anyone who works in marketing/advertising though. Their entire job is to convince you that you want something you don't need, so who's to really say where the line should be drawn, you know? I hadn't really thought about it much until you said something.